Planting Towpers

A person will harvest what they plant.-Galatians 6:7

I've heard it said before that if you want to know what is important to you, then you should look at how you spend your time. It's so true, isn't it? Our time really is our most valuable gift. It's fleeting and in high demand. There is a reason we are told to "stop and smell the roses", it's because some day we'll be too old to bend over and we'll have lost our sense of smell. Or, maybe it's because time passes so quickly that if you don't take time to appreciate the simple joys of life, they will simply pass you by. Could be either one, right?

There are days when I'm in the kitchen and I have to send my son out so I can get something done (it is nearly impossible to accomplish any task with a two year old playing drums on your bum, afterall). He'll hang is head down and slowly (sloooowly) inch his way out of the kitchen, until he's just barely in the living room. He will put his toe on the invisible line that divides the two rooms and ask to "pleeease" come back in the kitchen. Because I'm in there. I can never resist and, between you and me, I don't want to. I know there will be a day when he won't want to be in the kitchen, hanging out with me. I know there will be a day, coming sooner than I care to admit, when he won't want to be my special helper.

But that day's not today.

It may look like we're planting strawberry seeds and lovely forget-me-nots, but if you look closer, you will see we're planting memories. Memories I will always treasure. 

There used to be a time, not so long ago, when he used to ask to pick "towpers". Today we're planting them, only now they're "flowers".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a completely unrelated note, my friend is raising money to adopt a baby. Because I love babies, and adoption, and my friend, I am hosting an online party to help her raise some funds. If you live in the continental United Staes, please check it out, order something yummy, and help my friend adopt. I can personally attest the almond pound cake is to.die.for. I would love for this to be her biggest selling party ever, so I need your help (especially since right now I have zero sales).

 

Also, don't forget to check out the other camera embracers at Emily's blog.



Embrace the Morning. And the Camera.

This momma is just a little tired. Please forgive my rambling. And grammatical errors (I'm sure there are bound to be plenty). And short, fragmented sentences.

As you all know by now, B-Man is potty training. It's going swell. In fact, it's going so swell that he even woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Twice. The diaper was dry this morning and all is right with the world. Now, I know what you're thinking. That was just one night, Ang. You're not out of the woods yet. And, you're right (you always are). We'll still put a diaper on him tonight, and see how it goes, but I'm optimistic.

Getting up with him in the middle of the night like I did (did I mention it was twice?) sure does take me back to the days when he was a newborn. Get ready to not like me (as if!), but I actually loved waking up with him during those bygone days. It was our time. So special and my heart swells with the fondest of memories when I think back on those nights. Sure, I was tired, but it was so worth it. I remember how he would just sleep in my arms and I would look at him, pray over him, kiss him, smell him. I was in awe. And, while those tender snuggle moments are a thing of the past, I'm still in awe of my little boy. I still sneak in a smooch or a squeeze when I can. This boy will never be able to say his parents never showed him any affection. That makes me happy.

Now, when I wake up with him, I have conversations to remember, not just snuggles. One one of our trips last night, we spotted the moon. It was brilliant and orange and we just stood and looked at it. He had his little arms wrapped around my neck and told me how pretty the moon was. Actually, he said it was lovely. I mentioned how orange it was and he tenderly corrected me. Actually, it's yellow AND woe-wunj. Oh yes, I said, how could I not have noticed? Then, when I put him back in bed, he wanted to look at the moon again. I couldn't resist. I know these times are numbered. So I said we'd look at it "one more time" and carried my little boy back out to look at the moon. I tucked him back in to his bed and covered up his little body and he said, "I want to look at the moon again." I reminded him "Buddy, we've already looked at the moon two times." Then, that smart little boy of mine said, "I want to look at the moon three times." And you know what? I almost caved. Then, the practical side kicked in, I tucked him in, and stumbled back into bed.

Good thing, since he woke up early this morning...wanting to go potty and then play blocks...with mommy. Always happy to oblige.

Did you notice that warm, glowing light? It's the sunrise. God makes some beautiful things, doesn't He?

I love these pictures, despite (or because of?) their imperfections. They capture a moment in time that I hope always to remember. And treasure.

Now, that you've made it through my rambling, head over to this blog and get your embrace on.

Cuddles and Undies (or Lack Thereof)

That pretty much sums up my life this week.

We've all been sick. Mike started it and shared with the B-Man and me (thanks, babe). Brady was sick for about a day, then informed me "I'm feeling better. Daddy's better. Mommy's better." He was 2/3 right. I'm still icked up. Ah, who needs to breathe out of their nose anyway? So overrated.

I love these pictures. They are grainy and blurry and they just make me happy.

Did you notice the mittens? Here's a glimpse at the full ensemble.

I know, I know. Instant classic, right? He's definitely got his finger on the pulse of the fashion world.

Can I tell you something? I have a pretty nice camera. Not "professional" nice, but nice nevertheless. I haven't been using it much lately. I've been taking pictures with my phone. I almost always have it with me, it's small, and easy for self portraits, which I'm beginning to love. I have noticed I edit these pictures with a heavier hand than I do my "normal" pictures. I don't know why that is, but I like trying different editing styles every now and then.


























We are still working on potty training and, by George, I think he's got it! I don't want to jinx myself or anything, but we have gone all week with no accidents and he just goes on the potty whenever he needs to go. Of course, being a boy, he waits until the last possible second, but hey, as long as he makes it! For the purpose of full disclosure, he has been running around the house all week with no unders. That's right. He's free-cheeking it. Who needs the hassle of underwear when you have to go, anyway?!

Besides, who can resist these cheeks?

Yes, he is wearing a hat. What's it to you?

Of course, I'm a fan of these cheeks as well.

I'm really loving this Embrace the Camera idea. Thursdays are becoming one of my favorite days of the week!

I Got {No} Powah!

The title is best sung to the tune of Snap's "The Power".  Just FYI.

Before I get into explaining the title, let me just set the stage for you. We have been potty training this week. While Brady is catching on relatively well, I.am.exhausted. If I had the money, I would totally pay someone to do this task for me. Judge me all you want. It's true.


Anywhooo. Where was I? Oh yes, I'm tired. To top it off, my dear husband has caught some sort of ickiness. Not too bad, but it definitely flares up at night. He gets stuffed up and can't breathe. Since he can't breathe that means he snores when he's sleeping. As in, loudly. Which also means I, although beat out and exhausted, can't sleep.


Enter the morning. 5:30 to be exact. The power goes off. I know it goes off because the smoke detector in our bedroom starts beeping because the battery is low. Awesome. To top it off, Brady wakes up early. Double awesome.


Now, you may not know this, but my son has collected all our candles in the house and plays with them. Whatev. No biggie. Except for when we actually need them to see because the power is out and the house is pitch black because it's 5:30 in the morning. And the wicks have all been smushed into the wax. More awesome. We managed to find a couple (literally, a couple) that were lightable and put them in our living room. Then, in a stroke of genius (especially for 5:30 in the morning), I remembered my Aunt Betty (woot! woot!) gave us some awesome head lamps when we went camping, last September. With the help of the flashlight app on my phone (thanks to my brother for installing that bad boy!), I was able to locate them in no time. Brady thought it was awesome and, you know what, I kinda did too. It was actually fun, sitting in the dark, with each of us wearing our camping lights (I'm not sure what they're actually called), covered in blankets (hello? no heat!). 

 It's just another reason I love this little fam of ours. We are able to make fun out of not-so-fun situations.

I know the pictures are horrible. I love them anyway.

Now, if you're still reading after all that wordiness (first of all-thank you!), I have decided to start participating in Embrace the Camera. I found the idea on this blog.  I love it because I was just looking for pictures of the little guy and me the other day and couldn't find any recent ones.

Without further ado, here I am, embracing the camera. Prior to this "challenge", I probably would have deleted this because a) the quality stinks and b) hello? I look like poo. But Brady is in the process of landing a big ole smooch. And, despite the picture's (obvious) flaws...

...I love it anyway.